Adventures in Generosity: An Open Hand
March 5, 2026
Generosity has been on my mind lately. In the wake of retiring and the going-home of my parents, I am trying to figure out exactly what God’s plan is for the remaining 25+ years of my life. I now have a luxury (blessing) of time. I can sit in the morning reading my Bible and taking notes for as long as I want. I can put off tasks until tomorrow or next week (or later this spring) and there are no real consequences for the delay.
However, I feel the niggling that I should not be putting off the things God has asked me to do. I know writing is the number one task – blogging and books. God is also nudging me about how I manage my finances and how I choose to fill my free time. He is looking for a commitment from me in both finances and free time. As I pray about it and through my bible reading, I am getting little clues.
As I said, generosity is on my mind lately, so I think that might be one of those God clues. Generosity is freely giving time, money, resources without expecting anything in return. Generosity comes in many forms and can include listening without judgment, forgiving those who have hurt us, and practicing patience. One of the definitions of being generous is being open-handed.
Our God is a generous God. His Holy Spirit indwelling with us produces godly fruit as described in Galatians 5:22-23.
But the fruit of the [Holy] Spirit [the work which His presence within accomplishes] is love, joy (gladness), peace, patience (an even temper, forbearance), kindness, goodness (benevolence), faithfulness, 23 Gentleness (meekness, humility), self-control (self-restraint, continence). Against such things there is no law [that can bring a charge]. (AMPC)
I was delighted to discover that the fruit of godly generosity is designed to benefit both the giver and the receiver. We all know the saying that it is better (or more blessed) to give than to receive (Acts 20:35). But, the Bible also contains this wisdom.
Proverbs 11:24
There are those who [generously] scatter abroad and yet increase more; there are those who withhold more than is fitting or what is justly due, but it results only in want. (AMPC)
One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. (NIV)
Proverbs 19:17
He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, And He (the Lord) will pay back what he has given. (NKJV)
Luke 6:37-38 in Jesus’ words:
“Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” (NKJV)
God wants His love and His generous character to be reflected is His children. That is why Jesus gave the above instruction in Luke 6. Throughout biblical history, God’s instruction about being open-handed remained the same.
Deuteronomy 15:7-8
If there is among you a poor man, one of your kinsmen in any of the towns of your land which the Lord your God gives you, you shall not harden your [minds and] hearts or close your hands to your poor brother; 8 But you shall open your hands wide to him and shall surely lend him sufficient for his need in whatever he lacks. (AMPC)
Further, in Proverbs 31:20, we find that the capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
To God, generosity is more than just a good feeling. He promises to reward the obedient and generous person. The beauty of an open hand is that it is simultaneously ready to give and is prepared to receive. A tight fist cannot give much or receive much. An open hand is the receptacle for both generous giving and the blessings promised by God. It’s how we take hold of that good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over. Praise God!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your promises that I can be blessed when I am a blessing to others. Soften my heart to act on Your promptings to be generous with my money, time, and my attitude. You are a good, good God. I trust You. Amen.